FEAR • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Fear

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/fɪr/ Listen

noun

Fear n. A variant of Fere, a mate, a companion. (Obs.)

Fear n.

A painful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger; apprehension; anxiety; solicitude; alarm; dread. Note: The degrees of this passion, beginning with the most moderate, may be thus expressed, apprehension, fear, dread, fright, terror. "Fear is an uneasiness of the mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us." "Where no hope is left, is left no fear."

(Script.)

(a)

Apprehension of incurring, or solicitude to avoid, God's wrath; the trembling and awful reverence felt toward the Supreme Being.

(b)

Respectful reverence for men of authority or worth. "I will put my fear in their hearts." "I will teach you the fear of the Lord." "Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due... fear to whom fear."

That which causes, or which is the object of, apprehension or alarm; source or occasion of terror; danger; dreadfulness. "There were they in great fear, where no fear was." "The fear of your adventure would counsel you to a more equal enterprise."

For fear, in apprehension lest. "For fear you ne'er see chain nor money more."

Fere n. (Written also fear and feere) A mate or companion; often used of a wife. (Obs.) "And Cambel took Cambrina to his fere."

In fere, together; in company. (Obs.)

verb

Fear v. t. (past & past part. feared; pres. part. fearing)

To feel a painful apprehension of; to be afraid of; to consider or expect with emotion of alarm or solicitude. "I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." Note: With subordinate clause. "I greatly fear my money is not safe." "I almost fear to quit your hand."

To have a reverential awe of; to be solicitous to avoid the displeasure of. "Leave them to God above; him serve and fear."

To be anxious or solicitous for; now replaced by fear for. (R.) "The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children, therefore... I fear you."

To suspect; to doubt. (Obs.) "Ay what else, fear you not her courage?"

To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach of by fear. (Obs.) "Fear their people from doing evil." "Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs."

Synonyms: To apprehend; dread; reverence; venerate.

Fear v. i. To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil. "I exceedingly fear and quake."

See images of 'Fear'

Etymology of 'Fear'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Fear" Quotes from Famous Books

... had said something very near the truth when he had told Philip that Mrs. Halliday would be afraid to refuse him. The fair-haired, fair-faced little woman did in some manner fear the first lover of her girlhood. She had become his wife, and so far all things had gone well with her; but if misery and despair had been the necessary consequences of her union with him, she must have married him all the same, so dominant was the influence by ...

— Birds of Prey • M. E. Braddon

... came, including the announcement that colored men of suitable condition would be received into the war service. The policy of emancipation and of employing black soldiers gave to the future a new aspect, about which hope and fear and doubt contended in uncertain conflict. According to our political system, as a matter of civil administration, the General Government had no lawful power to effect emancipation in any State, and for a long time it had been hoped that the rebellion could ...

— A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents: Lincoln - Section 1 (of 2) of Volume 6: Abraham Lincoln • Compiled by James D. Richardson

... woman. "Look up quickly, and see these strange things in the sky! it is some fearful sign from the gods, I fear." ...

— Five Mice in a Mouse-trap - by the Man in the Moon. • Laura E. Richards

... thinks best, and God help thee," he said, kindly. "Mayst thee never find thy desire a curse. Fear not, lad—I ...

— John Halifax, Gentleman • Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

... hunter had rescued the dwarf from his prison, the little man said to him: "Go ten leagues to the north till you arrive at a gigantic pine; then turn to the east, and go ten leagues more till you come to a black castle. Enter the castle without fear, and you will discover a round room in which stands a round ebony table laden with gold and jewels. Help yourself to the treasure, and return home at once. And do not—now mark me well—go up into the turret of ...

— The Firelight Fairy Book • Henry Beston

More quotes...